The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, at the 2026 Global Symposium for Regulators GSR, organised by the International Telecommunication Union ITU, in Ankara, Türkiye, highlighted the country’s myraids telecommunications reforms and digital governance innovations.
The annual event brought together telecommunications regulators, policymakers and industry leaders from across the globe to brainstorm on emerging regulatory challenges, digital transformation and the future of telecommunications governance.
Speaking during a panel session entitled: “Harnessing the Power of Transformative Tech: Regulatory Approaches”, Dr. Maida disclosed that Nigeria is currently building a regulatory framework that prioritises transparency, accountability and data-driven decision-making to improve consumer outcomes and support digital economy growth.
He also disclosed that the Commission is transitioning from traditional data collection to data intelligence, leveraging information to empower consumers, improve regulatory oversight and hold service providers more accountable.
He cited initiatives such as the Commission’s Public Maps, industry statistics publications, Quarterly Network Performance Reports and simplified reporting frameworks which he emphasised, was helping consumers improve their understanding of the quality of telecommunications services available to them, and promoting greater transparency across the sector.
He also joined a panel of global telecommunications regulators and industry experts, including the President of Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL), Carlos Manuel Baigorri; Director-General of Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Philip Marnick; and Donna Bethea-Murphy of Viasat Inc., to discuss how regulatory institutions can adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and digital ecosystems.
At the symposium, a framework developed by the ITU to help regulators strengthen governance and respond effectively to increasingly complex digital markets was adopted.
Maida cited several priorities shaping Nigeria’s regulatory agenda during the Regulators’ Roundtable, which include strengthening transparency and accountability within the internet ecosystem through the NCC’s Internet Code of Practice, enhancing sector-wide cybersecurity through the Commission’s Cyber Resilience Framework, and deepening collaboration with other public institutions to ensure a coordinated approach to digital market governance.
He emphasised efforts to create an incentive-based telecommunications market through spectrum management and infrastructure policies designed to encourage investment, expand connectivity and support innovation.
According to him, “The NCC has in recent years deepened its focus on data-driven regulation, consumer protection and quality-of-service monitoring through partnerships and regulatory initiatives, the Commission has sought to improve network performance transparency, strengthen cybersecurity resilience and promote responsible conduct across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”
The global Symposium for Regulators is one of the telecommunications industry foremost policy forums for global regulators to share experiences, develop best practices and outline the future of digital regulation.
